Impact forging



Sept. 10, 1935. A, H. OELKIERS IMPACT FORGING Filed June 5, 1931 6Sheets-Sheet 1 P 1935. I A. H. OELKERS 2,014,206

IMPACT FORGING Filed June 5, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Vi T E my Sept. 10,1935. Y A. H. OELKERS IMPACT FORGING Filed June 5, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3p -10; 1935. A. H. OELKERS 2,014,206

IMPACT FORGING Filed June 5, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept; 1935. A. H.OELKERS 2,014,206

IMPACT FORGING Filed June 5, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 10, 1935. A. H.OELKERS IMPACT FORGING Filed June 5, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 mQw I N? I-mum Qmm R MEN wedlfO 6 MW Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention pertains to impact forging, and more particularly to aprocess and means for performing heavy duty impact forging.

An object of this invention is to provide a process for impact forging.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device forimpactforging.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which theimpact is the collision of two oppositely moving masses of substan--tially the same weight collided when moving at substantially the samespeed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device wherein theblank is in contact with the forming dies for only a very short time.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device wherein,after the forming has occurred, the dies will be quickly separated topermit the discharge of the formed blank.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device for formingheavy or other articles quickly and adequately.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consistof certain novel features of construction and operation as will be morefully described and particularly pointed out in the specification,drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the device and whereinlike reference charactors are used to designate like parts Figure 1 is aside elevation of a device for impact forging, the dotted lines showingthe position of parts of the device at the moment of forging;

Figure 2 is a modified form of a device embodying the invention, thedotted lines showing the position of parts of the device at the momentof forging;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the forging vehicles showing theposition thereof before the forging operation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation of the vehicle shown in Figure 3,just prior to the forging operation;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation through the vehiclesshowing the position of the dies at the moment that the forgingoperation occurs;

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing another modifiedform of the device;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional elevation through the tracks in thedevice shown in Figure 6, showing an end elevation of the hammer car;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the blank holding device or formingpress for the modification shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an end elevation partly in section of the forming pressshown in Figure 8;

Figure ;10 is a top plan of the forming press 5 shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the forming presstaken substantially in the plane indicated by the line l|-li of Figure10;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of another form of 10 the device;

Figure 13 is a transverse sectional elevation taken substantially in theplane indicated by the line i3-l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a transverse elevation of the anvil 15 shown in Figure 12,the same showing a front view of the die on the anvil and showing thetongs holding the blank ready for the forging process; and

Figure 15 is a side elevation of still another form of the device.

Referring first of all more. particularly to the forms of the deviceillustrated in Figures ,1 to 5 inclusive, as shown, substantially thesame form of hammer car is used with each modification.

In Figure 1, hammer cars ill and i2 are provided with flanged wheels I4mounted on a substantially arcuate track I6 which may be an element of acircle. At each end of the track a platform I8 is provided on which ahoisting engine 20 is mounted connected through the cables 22 to therespective hammer cars in and I2. 'In the modification shown in Figure2, hammer cars I0 and [2 provided with the flanged wheels l4 are mountedon a level or straight track 24. Power is transmitted from the primemover, power plant,

or engine 25 through suitable gearing 2628 to the endless cables 30 and32, and each car l0 and I2 is provided with a releasing device indicatedat 34 adapted to connect the car to the respective cable, after whichthe cars may be accelerated toward each other by the power plant 25until impact occurs, when the device 34 may release the cars from thecable, or may operate means not shown to shut off the prime mover orpower plant 25. After impact the power plant may be reversed, or thelower portion of the cable engaged,

to return the cars to their initial starting position.

The hammer car In is provided with a body portion 36 of great weight,the body portion being provided with pedestals 38 for receiving theaxles 40 of the wheels ii. The die 42 is mounted on the end of the body36 facing the die 44 mounted on the body 46 of the hammer car I2. The

75 :'forming press l22is mounted on the track adbody 46 is also providedwith pedestals 48 for receiving axles 5c of the respective wheels l4thereof. The body adjacent the die 44 is provided with outwardlyextending lugs or trunnions 52 disposed at the top and bottom and oneach side of the die. The body 46 is provided with tongs pivctallymounted at 54 thereof, the tongs including an upper member 56 extendingtoward the car It and provided with an upwardly flaring portion 583. Themember 56 is also provided with an extension 59 adapted to be adjustedby means of the set screw 62 mounted in the lug 8% on the body 46. Thelower member 65 making up the tongs is pivoted at and extends toward thecar Eli and is provided with a downwardly deflected portion 558. Themembers and 66' oneach side of the car are respectively connected bystraps IE3 and i2 respectively adapted .to hold the blank M. The tongmembers 56 and 556 are urged toward each other, that is, in blankholding position, by means of the plungers l6 and i8 mounted on the bodyQ6 and urged toward the tongs by means of he expansion springs 8E? and82. Thus it will be seen that when the blank '54 is mounted between themembers iii and i2 and the cars accelerated toward each other, the blankis spaced from the die The object of holding the blank in the path ofthe dies and not in contact therewith is to protect the dies from thedamaging eifect of the heat which they would absorb from the hot metalwere it in contact with them.

Prior to contact between the dies the lugs 52 engage the deflectedportions 58 and 68 of the members 55 and 55 to cause spreading of thetongs against the plungers i=3 and "i8. Spreading of the tongs permitsthe dies i2 and at to be brought together to confine the blank ittherebetween, the members of the blanks being pref- .:erably providedwith risers 35 for accommodating the excess metal.

As the impact between the carsis terrific, the cars will rebound to openthe dies, whereupon the formed blank will immediately fall out, or. canbe forced out so that the hot metal will not be in contact with the diesfor any longer period than is necessary. After rebound, brake mechanism(not shown) may be applied mechanically at the side of the trackmagnetically, etc., to maintain the cars separated.

In the modifications shown in Figures 6 to 11 inclusive an arcuate trackIce is provided, the track terminating at each end adjacent a platform132 on which a hoisting engine ltd is mounted. In this case a pluralityof hammer cars we are disposed on each side of the center of the trackHill, and are connected to the respective hoisting engines 594 throughthe cables I63. The cars are provided with the body portion Hliof greatweight, each body being provided with the pedestal portions M2 to whichthe axles 554 are journaled. Flanged wheels lit are mounted on the axlesand cooperate with the track m3. The cars are provided adjacent thepedestals with the openings 58 through which the flexible connectionlZil passes and serves to connect the cars together.

The track lii l is preferably of constant curvature, as a portion of acircle. The faces of adjacent cars may be kept constantly in engagementwith each other so that there is no slack, this adjustment being madepossible by means of a flexible connection {29. In this case the carspreferably do not carry the blank. Instead, a

jacent the center thereof in a position where it may be contacted at ornear the same time by each set of cars. The forming press is providedwith a base :2 slidably mounted on the tracks SE55. Spaced die holdersE25 and 528 are mounted on the base, said die holders being movabletoward each other. In the embodiment shown, double acting pneumaticcylinders 43% are provided for moving the die I28 toward the die I23. Inthis case the piston rod 532 of the pneumatic cylinder 11323 isconnected to the die holder l28 through the bracket 134 and the pin I36,so that operation of the cylinders E33 causes the piston rod E32 to movethe die Mb with respect to the die E38. for the die holders so that theywill not become misaligned. In this case the cylindrical guide membersM2 are mounted in the sockets E44 provided on the member i236 and areadapted to extend through embracing members I46 provided on thedie-holding member I26. Each die-holding member 525 and I25 is providedwith a striking or impact plate i453, and the dies E38 and I4!) arereleasably connected to the members-I26 and E28 by means of the retainerI59, the dies preferably being mounted in sockets H52 in the mem bersi125 and H8.

The blank is mountedin the cradle I54, said cradle being verticallyadjustable, the ends of the cradle being mounted on the verticallyslidable members 556 pivotally connected as at I58 to the link IE3, saidlink being pivotally connected as at to the lever Hid, said lever beingpivotally mounted on the shaft Hit, the shaft being oscillated by meansof the lever ifiil pivotally connected to the piston rod of theoperating cylinder Movement of the lever it!) is limited by theadjustment llil which consists essentially of a locking wheel il mountedon the threaded shaft HG, the shaft being adjustable in the nut I18toward and away from the cylinder I10, the adjustment being effected bymeans of the hand wheel lBii. After the required movement by the handwheel the hand wheel ill i can be tight ened against the nut to preventfurther movement of the threaded shaft ll'fi.

In operation, the blank is held in place by the cradle 551. The blank isthen caught'between the dies by operation of the cylinder 538i, and thecylinder il is then operated to drop the cradle from between the dies.The power plants 164 are released as in the case of modification shownin Figure l, whereupon the weight of the hammer cars causes them toapproach and contact the impact plates M8 of the forming press, causinga blank to be formed between the dies E38 and Mil. After the blank hasbeen formed the cars can be returned by their espective power plants Hi4and the dies are separated by operation of the: cylinder l3!!! asdesired, and the cradle can be elevated as the cylinder is separatingthe dies to receive the formed blank, or separate means may be used.

In the device shown in Figures 12 to 14 inclu-. ive, a horizontallymovable ram 200 is mounted on underframe 2M, said'underfrarne beingprovided with oppositely extending shoulders 283 adapted to have guidingcooperation with track portions 265 braced to the foundation 26'! bymeans of the brackets 2&9, The underframe is provided with pedestals202, the ram being mounted on the underframe by means of the straps 2M,the pedestals being provided with wheel and axle assemblies 266,.thewheels being in engagement with the track 298 mounted be- Suitable guidemeans Hi2 are provided tween the front and back stops 2H] and 2 l2 andon the foundation 201. The ram is provided with an explosion chamber 2l4 and a muffler 216, the ram being provided with a die 2 I3 and spacedupper and lower trunnions or lugs 220. The ram in initial position isdisposed adjacent the back stop 2l2 having a plunger 222 mounted betweenthe ram and back stop, the plunger extending through a bore in the ramto the explosion chamber. A normally stationary extremely heavy anvil224 is mounted adjacent the front stop 2 l8 slidably mounted on thetrack 288, being limited in its movement toward the back stop by thebrackets 225 and being provided with a plurality of nests of springs 228separating the anvil from the front stop. The anvil 224 is provided withthe tongs 23%! provided with the upper member 232 pivoted at 234, saidmember being provided with the adjusting extension 236 adapted to becontacted by the adjusting screw 238 mounted in the bracket 24! Themember 232 is provided with the upwardly flaring or deflected portion242 and a lower member 244 is also pivoted at 234 and is provided with adownwardly deflected portion 246. Members 232 and 244 on opposite sidesof the anvil are connected with upper and lower members 248 and 25Badapted to hold the blank 252 in spaced relation to the die 254 providedon the anvil and facing the die 2E8. The tongs are urged to blankholding position by means of the plunger and spring members 254 and 256.

In operation, when the explosive is ignited, or a gas burned in theexplosion chamber, the pressure forces the ram to move toward the anvil.Movement of the die 2I8 toward the die 254 causes the plugs 22!] tocontact the members 242 and 246, separating the tongs and permitting thedies 2H: and 254 to form the blank 252. The shock or impact which is notabsorbed by the forming of the material between the dies sets the anvilin motion toward the front stop 2H5 against the springs 228, the springsfinally returning the anvil to the proper position for the nextoperation.

In the form of device illustrated in Figure 15, a pendulum movement iscontemplated. In this case hammers 3% are pivoted through the cables 362as at 304 to the support 306, and the hammers may either be providedwith a die holding device such as the tongs illustrated and describedwith respect to figures 1 to 5 inclusive, and Figures 12 to 14inclusive, or a device similar to the forming press described in Figures8 to 11 inclusive, may be used, or any other convenient die-holdingmeans. In this case the hammers 390 are retracted by the power plants3238 connected to the hammers by the cables 3H], and at the proper timethe power plants may permit the hammers 390 to swing toward each other,effecting the forging operation. The hammers are preferably guided bythe track 3l2 slidably and freely engaging the guide members 3M providedon the hammers.

With the devices shown it will of course be understood that veryeffective forging devices are provided, it being also understood thatbrakes of the magnetic, track, or other type, may be used to stop thehammers after rebound on any of the modifications, if desired; and it isto be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that suchchanges fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a forging device, the combination of dies, an arcuate track,weighted means carrying said dies mounted on said track, means formoving said first named means to different parts of said track andreleasing the same, whereby said weighted means bring said dies togetherby inertia.

2. In a forging device, the combination of an arcuate track, a blankholding device mounted on 1 said track, and hammers mounted on saidtrack and movable toward said blank holding device by the inertia ofsaid hammers.

3. A blank holding device including a body member, a die mountedthereon, spaced members 1 pivotally secured to said body and formingtongs, said members having deflected portions for separating saidmembers, each of said members having members for holding a blank spacedfrom said die. 2

4. A blank holding device including a body member, a die mountedthereon, spaced members pivotally secured to said body and formingtongs, said members having deflected portions for separating saidmembers, each of said members having members for holding a blank spacedfrom said die, and means for urging said members toward each other.

5. In an apparatus for producing heavy forgings by single impact,oppositely disposed impact 3 transmitting members supported for normalgravital movement towards each other, means for moving said members inopposite directions whereby, upon release of said means, said membersdevelop considerable kinetic energy as they 3 approach each other,cooperating dies movably supported between and in thepath of movement ofsaid impact members and adapted to receive a hot metal blanktherebetween, said blank being formed to shape by the impingement ofsaid dies produced by the substantially simultaneous impact in oppositedirections received from said impact members.

6. In an apparatus for producing heavy forgings by single impact, acontinuous track havin 45 lateral portions at higher levels than thecentral portion, a pair of oppositely disposed impact transmittingmembers mounted on said track for normal gravital movement towards eachother, means for moving said members in opposite di- 5 rections towardsthe ends of said track whereby, upon release of said means, said membersdevelop considerable kinetic energy as they approach each other, aforming blank slidably mounted on the central portion of said track be-5 tween said members including a pair of relatively movable diespositioned for movement towards each other produced by the impactreceived from said impact members, dies being adapted to receive andretain a hot metal blank therebetween 6 which is formed to shape by theimpingement of said dies.

7. In a forging apparatus, a continuous track having lateral portions ata higher level than the median portion, a pair of hammers mounted for 6movement on said tracks, means for moving said hammers to the oppositeends of said track so that said hammers upon release will move bygravity towards each other, dies carried by said hammers, means on oneof said hammers for initially supporting a heated blank in spacedrelation to the die on said hammer, and means on the other of saidhammers for releasing said blank holding means as the hammers move to- 7wards each other to permit forging of the blank by said dies.

8. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having lat- .eral portions at higher levels thana'portion .therebetween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositelydisposed impact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravitalmovement toward each other down said inclinations, means for moving saidmembers in opposite directions toward the ends of said track whereby,upon release of said means, said members accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufficient length to produce sufiicientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow, and a pair of dies operableunder the im pact received from said impact members to form to shape ametal blank disposed therebetween.

9. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having lateral portions at higher levels than a portiontherebetween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositely disposedimpact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravital'movementtoward each other down said inclinations, means for moving said membersin opposite directions to- Ward the ends of said track whereby, uponrelease of said means, said members accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufiicient length to produce sufiicientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow, and a pair of oppositelydisposed dies mounted on said impact members and operable under theimpact received therefrom to form to shape a metal blank disposedtherebetween.

10. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combinationof acontinuous track having lateral portions at higher levels than a portionthereb etween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositely disposedimpact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravital movementtoward each other down said inclinations, means for moving said membersin opposite directions toward the ends of said track whereby, uponrelease of said means, said members accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufiicient length to produce sufiicientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow, and a pair of oppositelydisposed dies mounted on said track between said lateral portions, saiddies being operable under the impact received from said impact membersto form to shape a metal blank disposed therebetween.

1,1. In an apparatus for producing forgings,

the combination of a continuous track having lateral portions at higherlevels than a portion therebetween presenting opposite inclinations,oppositely disposed impact transmitting members mounted on said trackfor gravital movement toward each other'down said inclinations, meansfor moving said members in opposite directions toward the ends of saidtrack whereby, upon release of said means, said members acceleratethrough the force of gravity alone to develop kinetic energy as theyapproach each other, said inclination being of sufiicientlength toproduce sufiicient kinetic energy to develop a forging blow, a pair ofoppositely disposed dies mounted on said impact members, means on one ofsaid members for initially supporting a blank, and means for releasingsaid blank holding means as the hammers move toward each other topermitforging of the blank by said dies.

12. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having lateral portions at higher levels'than a portion:5

inclination being of sufiicient length to produce 1 5 sufficient kineticenergy to develop a'forging blow,

a pair of oppositely disposed dies mounted on said impact members, meanson one of said members for initially supporting ablank, and-means on theother of said members for releasing said 20 blank holding means as-thehammers-move t0- ward each other to permit forging of the blank by saiddies.

13. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having 25 lateral portions at higher levels than aportion therebetween presenting opposite inclinations, op positelydisposed impact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravitalmovement toward each other down said inclinations, means 30 for movingsaid members in opposite directions toward the ends of said trackwhereby, upon release of said means, said members accelerate through theforce of gravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach eachother, said 35 inclination being of sufiicient length to producesufiicient kinetic energy to develop a forging blow,

a pair of oppositely disposed dies mounted on said impact members,pivotally mounted arms disposed on each side of one of said members,straps connected toisaid arms'ifor embracing a metal blank, and meansfor'engaging said arms to release said blank as the hammers cmove towardeach other to permit forging of the blank by said dies. 45

14. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination .of acontinuous track having lateral portions at higher levels than a portiontherebetween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositely disposedimpact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravitalmovementtoward each other down said inclinations, means for moving saidmembers in opposite directions toward the ends of said track whereby,upon release of said means, saidmembers accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufiicient length to produce sufiicientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow, a pair of oppositely disposeddies '60 mounted on said impact members, pivotally mounted arms disposedon each side of one of said members, straps connected to said arms' forembracing a metal blank,,means for urgingsaid arms into blank engagingposition, and means for. engaging said arms to release'said blank as thehammers move toward each other to permit forging of the blank bysaid-dies.

15. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having lateral portions at'higher levels than a portiontherebetween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositely disposedimpact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravital ,movementtoward each other down said inclinations, means for moving said membersin opposite directions towards the ends of said track whereby, uponrelease of said means, said members accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufficient length to produce sufficientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow, a pair of oppositely disposeddies mounted on said impact members, pivotally mounted arms disposed oneach side of one of said members, straps connected to said arms forembracing a metal blank, and means on the other of said members forengaging said arms to release said blank as the hammers move toward eachother to permit forging of the blank by said dies.

16. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having lateral portions at higher levels than a portiontherebetween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositely disposedimpact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravital movementtoward each other down said inclinations, means for moving said membersin opposite directions toward the ends of said track whereby, uponrelease of said means, said members accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each eachother, said inclination being of sufiicient length to produce sufficientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow, a pair of oppositely disposeddies mounted on said impact members, pivotally mounted arms disposed oneach side of one of said members, straps connected to said arms forembracing a metal blank, means for urging said arms into blank engagingposition, and means on the other of said members for engaging said armsto release said blank as the hammers move toward each other to permitforging of the blank by said dies.

1'7. In a forging apparatus, the combination of a continuous trackhaving lateral portions at higher levels than a portion therebetweenpresenting opposite inclinations, a pair of oppositely disposed impacttransmitting devices mounted on said track for normal gravital movementtoward each other down said inclinations, each of said devicescomprising a plurality of impact members connected together, and meansfor moving said devices in opposite directions toward the ends of saidtrack whereby, upon release of said means, said devices acceleratethrough the force of gravity alone to develop kinetic energy as theyapproach each other, said inclination being of sufficient length toproduce said devices comprising a plurality of impact members, meanswhereby said members are flexibly held in association with one another,and means for moving said devices in opposite directions toward the endsof said track whereby,

upon release of said means, said devices accelcrate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufficient length to produce suflicientkinetic energy to develop a forging blow.

19. In an apparatus for producing forgings, the combination of acontinuous track having lateral portions at higher levels than a portiontherebetween presenting opposite inclinations, oppositely disposedimpact transmitting members mounted on said track for gravital movementtoward each other down said inclinations, means for moving said membersin opposite directions toward the ends of said track whereby, uponrelease of said means, said members accelerate through the force ofgravity alone to develop kinetic energy as they approach each other,said inclination being of sufficient length to producesufficientkineticenergyto develop a forging blow, die holding membersmounted on said track between said lateral portions, dies mounted oneach of said holding members, means for holding a metal blank betweensaid dies when said die holding members are in spaced relation, andmeans for moving said members toward one another whereby said diesengage and hold said blank, said blank being formed to shape by saiddies upon impact of said impact members with said die holding members.

20. In a forging apparatus, the combination of

